At WSIS+20, the critical role of the multistakeholder model of Internet governance in safeguarding the Internet’s secure, stable, and open nature was reaffirmed. This position was emphasized by Kurtis Lindqvist, President and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), during a high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly’s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20).
Over the past two decades, the multistakeholder model has enabled the Internet to evolve into a global public infrastructure by fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community.
Addressing participants, Lindqvist noted, “The WSIS process has demonstrated that effective governance of technical systems is only possible through cooperation, trust and broad global participation.”
He underscored that ICANN’s role situated at the intersection of Internet technical coordination and policy development remains non-political yet deeply accountable, with a clear focus on maintaining the Internet’s unity and interoperability.
The speech also highlighted key future challenges, including:
- the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence,
- efforts to combat abuse of the Domain Name System (DNS),
- ensuring digital inclusion and equitable access,
- strengthening the participation of developing countries in global Internet governance.
Lindqvist reaffirmed ICANN’s continued support for the WSIS+20 process and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), stressing that these platforms remain vital for dialogue, cooperation and consensus-building in policy development.
“The Internet operates continuously. Its stability does not depend on a single organization, but on a community that collectively shares this responsibility,” he emphasized.
He concluded by calling for the preservation and strengthening of the multistakeholder governance model as the foundation of the Internet’s future – particularly at a time when technological innovation is progressing more rapidly than regulatory frameworks can adapt.
